Distraction screw

Abstract

A distraction screw includes a proximal portion secured to a first vertebra, a distal portion secured to a second vertebra and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is coupled to the proximal and distal portions and is positioned in an intervertebral space. The intermediate portion is configured and adapted to enable distraction of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A distraction screw assembly for distracting L5 vertebra from S1 vertebra comprising:
 a distraction screw including:
 a proximal portion adapted to be secured to the L5 vertebra; 
 a distal portion adapted to be secured to the S1 vertebra; and 
 an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal and the distal portions, and adapted to be positioned in an intervertebral space between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, the intermediate portion having at least one aperture; and 
   a deployable spacer adapted to be deployed to the intervertebral space through the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the distal portion is less than a diameter of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         3 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the distal portion is less than a diameter of the proximal portion. 
     
     
         4 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the distal portion is less than a diameter of both the intermediate portion and the proximal portion. 
     
     
         5 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an opening in the L5 vertebra is sized and configured to allow for the intermediate portion to be positioned in an intervertebral disc space. 
     
     
         6 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable spacer includes an expandable spacer. 
     
     
         7 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the expandable spacer includes an expandable balloon. 
     
     
         8 . A distraction screw assembly for distracting L5 vertebra from S1 vertebra comprising:
 a distraction screw including:
 a proximal portion having an external threading adapted to be screwed into the L5 vertebra; 
 a distal portion adapted to be secured to the S1 vertebra; and 
 an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal and the distal portions, and adapted to be positioned in an intervertebral space between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, the intermediate portion having at least one aperture; and 
   a deployable spacer adapted to be deployed to the intervertebral space through the aperture.   
     
     
         9 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a diameter of the distal portion is less than a diameter of the intermediate portion such that the intermediate portion does not enter the S1 vertebra. 
     
     
         10 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a diameter of the distal portion is less than a diameter of the proximal portion. 
     
     
         11 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a diameter of the distal portion is less than a diameter of both the intermediate portion and the proximal portion such that the intermediate portion does not enter the S1 vertebra. 
     
     
         12 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 8 , wherein an opening in the L5 vertebra is sized and configured to allow for the intermediate portion to be positioned in an intervertebral disc space. 
     
     
         13 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the deployable spacer includes an expandable spacer. 
     
     
         14 . The distraction screw assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the expandable spacer includes an expandable balloon.